Reigning Asian Player of the Year Akram Afif has once again been included on the three-man shortlist for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) annual award, alongside Saudi Arabia’s Salem Al-Dawsari and Malaysia’s Arif Aiman.
Idman.biz, citing Reuters, reports that Afif, who previously won the award in 2019, could become the first player to claim the title three times if he lifts the trophy at the gala ceremony in Riyadh on October 16. Al-Dawsari, crowned in 2022, is hoping for a second triumph, while Arif has made history as the first Malaysian nominated for the award.
In the women’s category, Australian Holly McNamara, China’s Wang Shuang, and Japanese defender Hana Takahashi are competing for top honors. Meanwhile, the AFC International Player of the Year shortlist features South Korea’s Lee Kang-in, UEFA Champions League winner with Paris Saint-Germain, Iran’s Mehdi Taremi, and Japan’s Takefusa Kubo.
The awards highlight the best performers across Asia and beyond, recognizing exceptional achievements in the 2025 football season. Fans will eagerly await the ceremony to see whether Afif can make history and add another milestone to his illustrious career.
